Published: Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11:58 p.m.

Former NFL Pro Bowler Brock Marion will coach his first high school game tonight at The Villages.

Yes, it's only a spring scrimmage, but it marks the beginning of a new era at St. John Lutheran as the two-time Super Bowl champ takes over the football reins from veteran coach Dennis Meunier.

And while Marion — who played for a decorated list of coaches over his 12-year NFL career — hasn't decided exactly what his personal coaching style will be, he knew he'd first have to build a strong foundation when he took over a team that finished 3-7 last year, dropping their final six games during an injury-riddled season.

“The key to success is being fundamentally and technically sound in just about everything you do,” Marion said back in February. “Get back to your basics and then expand from there. That's what we'll do here at St. John.”

And so it has begun.

Marion inherits a team with some proven skill players, including running back Quandre Woods, who led the county in rushing last season before sustaining an injury that sidelined him, and derailed the Saints' promising 3-1 start. Now a junior, Woods is healthy and chomping at the bit.

So is quarterback Kameron Stender, who is one of just six seniors on Marion's roster. The dual-threat QB will have receiver Nick Weitlauf and Brock Marion Jr. to lean on as the Saints try to regain their form of 2011 when they went 9-3 and made the school's deepest state playoff run under Meunier.

But after carrying just 28 players on last year's roster — four of which were still in middle school — Marion is still working on building depth.

“Our numbers are a bit low right now,” the first-year coach said. “With our baseball season just ending we have some kids just now coming out. Nonetheless, we are getting better each day. With a new coaching staff and new format for our program, our players are responding very well.”

Da'Quan Wilkerson (5-11, 290) and Zachary Liekweg (6-0, 230) will try to help solidify things up front for the Saints, who will also get a boost from OCA transfer Bryant Fortune (5-10, 200) and returner John Gillman.

Marion will find out where he stands after tangling with a Villages team that went 0-10 during a rebuilding 2012 season under longtime local coach Richard Pettus, just one year after the Buffalo made it to the Class 1A region final.

Whatever happens tonight, Marion is convinced the Saints' best football is in front of them.

“Our younger players are going to be our strength in the future,” Marion said. “We are loaded with youth.”

<p>Former NFL Pro Bowler Brock Marion will coach his first high school game tonight at The Villages.</p><p>Yes, it's only a spring scrimmage, but it marks the beginning of a new era at St. John Lutheran as the two-time Super Bowl champ takes over the football reins from veteran coach Dennis Meunier.</p><p>And while Marion — who played for a decorated list of coaches over his 12-year NFL career — hasn't decided exactly what his personal coaching style will be, he knew he'd first have to build a strong foundation when he took over a team that finished 3-7 last year, dropping their final six games during an injury-riddled season.</p><p>“The key to success is being fundamentally and technically sound in just about everything you do,” Marion said back in February. “Get back to your basics and then expand from there. That's what we'll do here at St. John.”</p><p>And so it has begun.</p><p>Marion inherits a team with some proven skill players, including running back Quandre Woods, who led the county in rushing last season before sustaining an injury that sidelined him, and derailed the Saints' promising 3-1 start. Now a junior, Woods is healthy and chomping at the bit. </p><p>So is quarterback Kameron Stender, who is one of just six seniors on Marion's roster. The dual-threat QB will have receiver Nick Weitlauf and Brock Marion Jr. to lean on as the Saints try to regain their form of 2011 when they went 9-3 and made the school's deepest state playoff run under Meunier.</p><p>But after carrying just 28 players on last year's roster — four of which were still in middle school — Marion is still working on building depth.</p><p>“Our numbers are a bit low right now,” the first-year coach said. “With our baseball season just ending we have some kids just now coming out. Nonetheless, we are getting better each day. With a new coaching staff and new format for our program, our players are responding very well.”</p><p>Da'Quan Wilkerson (5-11, 290) and Zachary Liekweg (6-0, 230) will try to help solidify things up front for the Saints, who will also get a boost from OCA transfer Bryant Fortune (5-10, 200) and returner John Gillman.</p><p>Marion will find out where he stands after tangling with a Villages team that went 0-10 during a rebuilding 2012 season under longtime local coach Richard Pettus, just one year after the Buffalo made it to the Class 1A region final.</p><p>Whatever happens tonight, Marion is convinced the Saints' best football is in front of them.</p><p>“Our younger players are going to be our strength in the future,” Marion said. “We are loaded with youth.”</p><p>Kickoff is scheduled for 7 tonight at The Villages.</p>